NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners approved on Wednesday proposed regulations for Limited-Scale Commercial Solar Energy Projects. Those are defined as under 10 acres and under 2 megawatts of power.
The County Commission decided to allow batteries for such projects if requested, but they would have to be approved through the regular conditional use permit process and battery energy storage systems, including all mechanical equipment, shall be enclosed in a building suitable for storage of the battery, with a locking mechanism to aid in preventing unauthorized access.
The final regulations also included clarification on what is not allowed underneath solar panels (think concrete and asphalt) and other minor tweaks to the regulations.
The Planning Commission also clarified that their current language will not allow for any construction of Limited-Scale Commercial Solar Energy Projects within two miles of another similar project.
The Planning Commission further decided that the language regarding sound level should remain intact.
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